U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is a smart, hardworking passionate public servant, who is focused on the difficult economic challenges facing New York and the country. Since joining the U.S. Senate, Kirsten has helped expand health insurance for millions of uninsured children, stood with President Obama to move forward on an aggressive economic recovery plan, and secured billions of dollars to create jobs in New York and make sure New York taxpayers get their fair share.
Kirsten was appointed to the U.S. Senate in January 2009 to fill Hillary Clinton’s seat. Prior to serving in the senate, Kirsten represented New York's 20th Congressional District in the House of Representatives during the 110th Congress.
Kirsten was born and raised in Upstate New York, and currently lives with her husband, Jonathan and their two sons, Theodore, age five, and Henry, who is an infant, in Columbia County.
Kirsten’s passion for public service began at a very early age. Growing up in Albany, she saw her grandmother organize many of the women in her community to make a difference and improve people’s lives.
Before serving in Congress, Kirsten served in the Clinton Administration as Special Counsel to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Andrew Cuomo. A magna cum laude graduate from Dartmouth College, Kirsten received her law degree at the University of California at Los Angeles Law School, and served as a law clerk on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. As an attorney for 15 years, Kirsten worked on a wide range of legal and policy-related issues, often providing free legal representation to people who could not otherwise afford it. 
Kirsten believes that New Yorkers deserve leaders who are honest, open and upfront with the public. That’s why she supports President Obama’s plans to add transparency to government, and will continue to lead by example. Kirsten was one of the first Members of Congress ever to post their schedule online. Her “Sunlight Report”, which is available on her web site, enables all New Yorkers to see who she is meeting with and what she is doing.
Since joining the Senate, Kirsten has been traveling to every corner of New York, from Buffalo to Brookhaven, listening to community and business leaders and everyday New Yorkers discuss the challenges they face. The number one concern on the minds of New Yorkers is the economy. That's why Kirsten’s top priority is creating good-paying jobs in New York and making smart investments to ensure our economy is thriving for the long term.
To strengthen our economy for the long term and combat global climate change, Kirsten is committed to developing sustainable, renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, relieving our dependence on foreign oil, and creating good-paying jobs in New York.
Kirsten understands that the health of our economy and the health of our families depend on making quality health care affordable and accessible
to every man, woman and child. She is working with President Obama on comprehensive health care reform to fix our broken system.